Ohio’s GOP Attorney General now talking up medical marijuana reform

As reported in this notable local article, headlined “Mike DeWine looks at drafting his own medical marijuana proposal,” the various on-going efforts to bring marijuana reform to the ballot in the Buckeye State has finally convinced the chief law enforcement representative in Ohio to start seriously considering marijuana reform. Here are the basics:

Attorney General Mike DeWine has directed staff to look at potentially drawing up a new proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio, a spokesman said Friday.

DeWine staffers have been reviewing medical marijuana schemes in other states to see whether it’s possible to set up “very tightly regulated” rules that can’t be exploited by recreational pot users, said AG spokesman Dan Tierney.

Specifically, Tierney said, the attorney general is interesting in other states’ plans that allow medical marijuana to be used in ways other than smoking, such as ointments or pills. If one of those plans is found to be “worthy of support,” Tierney said, the AG’s office may present those findings to the legislature or seek a ballot issue.

However, Tierney cautioned that it’s still “far too early” to say when DeWine would take such a step – or even if he will end up taking any action at all.

Marijuana proponents are working on at least three different ballot initiatives in Ohio that would fully legalize the drug. A fourth group is gathering signatures to legalize medical marijuana in the state.

DeWine still has “grave concerns” about full marijuana legalization, Tierney said.

I have noted in some prior posts how interesting my own home state of Ohio has become in the marijuana reform arena thanks almost entirely to the significant direct democracy legalization initiative making its way to the ballot for voters to consider in 2015 (and then perhaps again in 2016). This news coming from the notable GOP Attorney General is yet another sign og how the people can, with the help of direct democracy, push the representative to actually do more of what the people say they want.

Some prior related posts on recent Ohio developments:

• Remarkable Ohio developments as four groups compete to get reform proposals to the ballot

• “What, Ohio a trendy pot state?”

• Toledo Blade looks deeply into issues and debate surrounding Ohio marijuana reform

• Pot politics stirring Ohio’s political pot as 2015 ballot proposal marches forward